Making Graphene could KILL you... but we did it anyway?!

Tech Ingredients・2 minutes read

Graphene is a groundbreaking material with exceptional properties that can transform industries like Electronics, Computing, Energy Storage, and Structural Engineering. Despite its widespread availability, the challenge lies in producing graphene in large quantities efficiently, which the flash graphene technique developed at Rice University addresses by offering a cost-effective and high-production-rate method using a simple setup.

Insights

  • Graphene possesses exceptional physical properties, such as high thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, and strength, due to its unique two-dimensional, hexagonal carbon structure with strong bonds.
  • The flash graphene technique, developed at Rice University, provides a cost-effective and high-production-rate method for creating graphene using a simple setup involving a glass tube, carbon source, and specific procedures like heating and rapid cooling, offering an efficient and economical approach for graphene production at scale.

Get key ideas from YouTube videos. It’s free

Recent questions

  • What are the unique properties of graphene?

    Graphene is a material with exceptional physical properties, including 10 times the thermal conductivity of copper, twice that of diamond, superior electrical conductivity, low friction coefficient, 200 times the strength of steel at one-fifth the weight, and the ability to stretch up to five percent of its original length before rupturing. These properties stem from its pure carbon composition arranged in a two-dimensional molecule one atom thick, forming a hexagonal structure with strong carbon-to-carbon bonds.

  • How is graphene produced on a large scale?

    Graphene production on a large scale can be challenging due to difficulties in separating individual sheets from graphite. Methods like electrochemical exfoliation and chemical vapor deposition are used, but they have limitations in scalability and efficiency. A technique called flash graphene, developed at Rice University, offers a more cost-effective and high-production-rate method. It involves heating a carbon source to over 3100 Kelvin, then rapidly cooling it to induce the formation of graphene sheets that can be easily exfoliated for use. This process requires a quartz tube, copper wool electrodes, and a simple setup to produce high-quality graphene at a significantly higher rate than traditional methods.

  • What equipment is needed for the flash graphene technique?

    The flash graphene technique requires a quartz tube, copper wool electrodes, and a simple setup. The process involves heating a carbon source to over 3100 Kelvin, then rapidly cooling it to induce the formation of graphene sheets that can be easily exfoliated for use. By following this method, individuals can efficiently and economically create graphene for various applications.

  • How can graphene be separated from the production mixture?

    To separate graphene from the production mixture, pour the mixture into a beaker of water, swirl it, let heavier pieces settle, and pour off the lighter pieces. Raman spectroscopy is crucial for evaluating graphene, as it analyzes the molecular bonds' interaction with light to identify graphene's nature. This process allows for the extraction of high-quality graphene for further applications.

  • What are the benefits of adding graphene to materials?

    Adding graphene to materials can significantly enhance their properties. For example, structural reinforcement is achieved by adding graphene to epoxy, which is tested by comparing epoxy with varying graphene percentages using methyl cellulose shipping rods. Using a hydraulic jack and load cell, the bending modulus of epoxy with different graphene percentages is tested, showing significant stiffness improvements with graphene. Even a small percentage of graphene, such as 0.3%, can increase bending modulus by 400%, while 0.6% graphene can lead to a 750% increase, showcasing the effectiveness of graphene in enhancing material properties.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

"Flash Graphene: Efficient Production for Innovation"

  • Graphene is a material with exceptional physical properties that can revolutionize various fields like Electronics, Computing, Energy Storage, and Structural Engineering.
  • It has 10 times the thermal conductivity of copper and twice that of diamond, conducts electricity better than any metal, and has a low coefficient of friction.
  • Graphene is 200 times stronger than steel at one-fifth the weight, with a toughness that allows it to stretch up to five percent of its original length before rupturing.
  • Its properties stem from being pure carbon arranged in a two-dimensional molecule one atom thick, forming a hexagonal structure with strong carbon-to-carbon bonds.
  • Despite being widely available and cheap, graphene is challenging to produce in large quantities due to difficulties in separating individual sheets from graphite.
  • Methods like electrochemical exfoliation and chemical vapor deposition are used to extract graphene from graphite, but they have limitations in scalability and efficiency.
  • A technique called flash graphene, developed at Rice University, offers a more cost-effective and high-production-rate method to produce graphene using a glass tube and a carbon source like carbon black.
  • Flash graphene involves heating the carbon source to over 3100 Kelvin, then rapidly cooling it to induce the formation of graphene sheets that can be easily exfoliated for use.
  • The process requires a quartz tube, copper wool electrodes, and a simple setup to produce high-quality graphene at a significantly higher rate than traditional methods.
  • By following the flash graphene technique, individuals can create graphene efficiently and economically for various applications.

18:42

Creating Tungsten Electrodes with Carbon Black

  • Tungsten welding rods used are quarter-inch or 6.4 millimeters in diameter.
  • A seven-millimeter tube is used for a snug fit with the welding rods.
  • The welding rods are placed at each end and compressed into a cylinder shape using a board.
  • A pre-formed electrode is created before adding 550 milligrams of carbon.
  • Carbon black is added to the tube, with 150 milligrams being the target quantity.
  • Gloves, a mask, and caution are advised due to the messy nature of carbon black.
  • The tube is filled with carbon black using a craft stick until reaching the required weight.
  • The pre-formed electrode is inserted into the tube, and the tube is extruded to compress the contents.
  • The setup involves a reactor with conductive posts and an OHM meter to compress carbon particles.
  • The final step includes using a vacuum chamber to prevent air pressure issues during the reaction process.

38:39

"Graphene Production: Methods and Advancements"

  • To separate graphene, pour the mixture into a beaker of water, swirl it, let heavier pieces settle, and pour off the lighter pieces.
  • Raman spectroscopy is crucial for evaluating graphene, as it analyzes the molecular bonds' interaction with light to identify graphene's nature.
  • Structural reinforcement is the goal of making graphene, tested by comparing epoxy with varying graphene percentages using methyl cellulose shipping rods.
  • Using a hydraulic jack and load cell, the bending modulus of epoxy with different graphene percentages is tested, showing significant stiffness improvements with graphene.
  • Adding 0.3% graphene increased bending modulus by 400%, while 0.6% graphene led to a 750% increase, showcasing graphene's effectiveness.
  • Scaling up graphene production is feasible by adjusting capacitance and voltage, without needing additional equipment, allowing for larger batches.
  • Producing graphene in large volumes is possible with continuous processes, as demonstrated by recent research, offering scalability beyond batch methods.
Channel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatar

Try it yourself — It’s free.